Discount Doctors

A long time ago people came out west and set themselves up as doctors and pharmacists and lawyers--you name it. Sometimes they had a real diploma and sometimes they didn’t. Usually they had some semblance of training and practice and you would think they got better as they practiced their trade. Pharmacists sometimes hung up a “Drug Store” sign after a few years as medicine men. But fi nally, medical boards were established in the new states and pharmacy boards started trying to eliminate these charlatans and did pretty good. Same thing for lawyers and the such.

False practices continue. “Medicine Men” still fl ourish selling their nostrums on TV and magazine ads and so forth. People still go all out for magic medicine that will do the “impossible” and they always will. One old guy that owned a drugstore here in Allen was prone to try to help the sick by practicing medicine and was pretty successful. His name was Otto and he sold a lot of “Jamaica gin” from his fountain and he also liked to give penicillin shots. He got out of going to prison by giving up his license and by promising never to practice pharmacy again.

Even with enforcement, pharmacists were often on the edge by “doctoring” a little, here and there. My pharmacist when I was a child was Charley Burnett in Stonewall and he saved my “bacon” more than once by mixing me up some good ear drops which took care of severe earaches. He took care of a lot of things such as that but over the years even this type of fi rst aid practice has diminished. When I moved to Allen in 1963 people came into the pharmacy every day seeking some sort of medical help or advice. A pharmacist could be depended on to listen and give some advice. Sometimes it wasn’t such good advice but at least it was free. Sell ‘em ear drops and cough syrup and send ‘em to the doctor.

A first aid kit was kept on hand to treat minor scrapes and cuts. A pharmacy was often the first point of contact for accidents. I’m not saying that’s a good thing, but that it just was. One morning I looked out and a mama had stood her little boy on the check-out counter and invited one and all to look at his little PP and advise her on why it was so swollen. Crowd participation was rapid and treatment was given the little Bee sting victim. I made her take him to the doctor since he couldn’t pee.

Another lady wanted to share with us the results of her latest surgery and came back into my pharmacy, hiked her dress and made us all look. I’m not sure it helped her any but who knows. One elderly customer appeared as if by magic one busy morning and had her breast exposed. I quarried her a bit and she said she usually had her pharmacist examine her for lumps monthly but she wanted to trade at home. I explained that I didn’t have a certificate for this so she would have to go back to him.

I did enjoy my 40 years practicing pharmacy her in Allen. Maybe I should have been a doctor. Or maybe not. I hope all of you have a good weekend and go to church Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

waynebullard@sbcglobal.net